THE SUPREME PEOPLE'S COURT and the Supreme People's Procuratorate have issued a notice instructing the judicial authorities to strike heavy blows in the fight against Mafia-like gangs, and take resolute actions to dig up the soil in which their criminal activities take root and rip up the umbrellas protecting them. Beijing News comments:

The notice follows a similar one issued by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council, China's Cabinet, which called for the judicial and public security authorities to crack down on organized crime.

The activities of these gangs are facilitated by their connections with enterprises and officials, which form black interest chains and communities of interests. The gangs make money under the guise of doing legitimate business, and pay to get protection from officials to carry out their illegal activities.

These gangs not only threaten public security, but also the normal operation of the market economy. They believe in violence, hidden rules and swashbuckling, which are incompatible with modern business ethics.

The influence of these gangs creates an unhealthy business environment in some places. Reportedly, some enterprises even have to pay a protection fee to these gangs to ensure normal production in Hebei, Shandong and Hubei provinces.

Wiping out the Mafia-like gangs can effectively boost the vitality of the market and protect the order of the market economy, and the entrepreneurship.
The rule of law is a guarantee of the market economy, and these gangs must be rooted out along with the corrupt officials standing behind them.